Three years ago, driving out of the picnic spot at Pafuri, a huge python crossed the road in front of us. It was easily longer than the width of the road - at least 4m and probably nearer to 5m. I remember we were amazed at how thick it was. I have the incident on video but no pics, I'm afraid. We're back in that area in February so I'll see if we can track it down

Pythons are constrictors and have a small hook at the end of the tail. They actually hook with this and then coil around the victim.I've actually seen, done by an expert in Kenya, a man handle a very big python and managed to get easily free simply by holding the head and the end of the tail, this way they have no grip and simply let go.Some time back saw a short video clip on Youtube of a croc fighting with a python and when the croc bit the end of the tail the python suddenly let go.

The hook tail and head part is a myth Look at the muscle structure of a python compared to an elapid and you will understand

Our family visited Bateleur Bush camp during the last week of September (2009). At about noon my wife spotted what seemed to be two tree squirrels playfighting in the nearby vegetation. When things got out of hand she then realized that it was a young ARP that had just caught a tree squirrel. The birds and other tree squirrels were quite vocal when they realized that the ARP was strangling the poor animal. Even the Babblers attacked the young ARP. I kept all my children at bay for a while as the python would regurgitate its meal if being disturbed. Quite an experience. The whole killing and swallowing took nearly an hour.I include a few pics from strangling to end.